Quality of Life, Depression, and Psychological Distress Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Biologics

The introduction of biologics has improved the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), enhancing disease control and quality of life for patients. However, despite these advancements, some individuals still experience distress and depression due to the effects of treatment and concerns about the outcomes of biologic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the current quality of life, level of distress, and depression among RA patients treated with biologics, which could serve as a basis for intervention. The Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis Instrument II (QoL-RAII), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (KPDS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to gather the necessary data. These standardized questionnaires were randomly administered to 100 RA patients undergoing biologic treatment. The data were then tabulated and analyzed using the mean and Pearson r correlation. The study's results revealed a low average quality of life and a very high level of psychological distress among the respondents. Additionally, there was an extreme level of depression observed in RA patients. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between quality of life and the level of psychological distress among the patients. The findings concluded that RA patients have poor quality of life, experience very high levels of psychological distress, and suffer from extreme depression. The study underscored the urgent need for mental health professionals to provide immediate intervention.